Assistant Head Nurse

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  An employee in this class provides professional nursing services involving responsibility for personally performing the more difficult activities in bedside care of patients and assisting in the management of a clinical unit, special department, or ward.  Assistant Head Nurses are engaged in supervising the activities of professional and non-professional subordinates.  The work is performed under general supervision.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
Administers medications and treatment, as prescribed;
Performs all phases of bedside care of patients;
Observes patients carefully, and reports any physical or mental changes;
Records all activities pertaining to patients' care and progress;
Assists in preparing daily reports of medications, census, and condition of patients;
Checks physicians' orders, medication cards, and chart, to insure prompt and accurate execution, and the recording of orders;
Prepares patients for, and assists physicians during, operations, treatments, and examinations;
Assists in the instruction of Staff Nurses and other subordinates;
Assists in the supervision and management of clinical unit or ward activities;
Assists in ordering drugs and materials, and is responsible for the maintenance of an adequate supply of necessary supplies;
Promotes patient morale;
Cooperates with other departments in the interest of effective management and patient welfare;
Acts as Head Nurse in that employee's absence or as directed;

The above examples of duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITY, AND/OR PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of professional nursing techniques, and their relation to medical and surgical practice, and skill in their application; working knowledge of ward management and hospital supply distribution practices; ability to administer prescribed therapeutic measures; ability to understand and carry out technical oral and written instructions; ability to keep records and make reports; ability to get along well with others; ability to supervise the work of others; good observation; mental alertness; thoroughness; cheerfulness; patience; emotional stability; sympathetic attitude towards the sick.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is also frequently required to walk, talk, hear, and sit.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The employee is occasionally exposed to individuals who have contagious illnesses, contaminated bodily fluid/tissue and/or contaminated medical equipment.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderately noisy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Graduation from High School or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma recognized by the NYS Department of Education and
EITHER:

  1. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS registered College or University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
    OR:
  2. Graduation from an approved three year School of Professional Nursing, a (1) one year of full-time paid nursing experience in a geriatric setting.
    OR:
  3. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS Registered (2) two year College or University with an Associates Degree in Nursing, and (2) years of full-time paid nursing experience in a geriatric setting.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT AND CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT. Possession of a valid Registered Professional Nurse License.